Reporting to the Manager: IT Operations, the incumbent will be required to provide warehouse design, architecture, reporting, implementation and integration efforts, including data sourcing and transformation.

This role will to design methods to store, analyse, utilise, and organise data. This includes create computer databases based on user needs; migrating data from old systems to new system and effectively managing multiple database environments.

• The SQL Software Engineer will help design, implement and support the organisation’s transactional and dimensional data warehouse development efforts, providing guidance and direction to clients and project team members
• Leveraging knowledge of current data warehouse and software development methodologies to contribute to the overall planning of projects by recommending approaches, identifying resources, and developing timelines
• Setting up and documenting operational procedures (maintenance, user administration, server standards, etc)
• Monitoring and enforcing the usage of the procedures
• Implementing departmental and industry best-practices security standards
• Mitigating the risk to ensure minimal downtime and system availability by ensuring that the best support practices are in place to ensure proper recovery as defined by the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
• Monitoring the SQL environment, providing capacity trends and highlighting performance bottlenecks
• Providing after-hour standby and support
• Data migration and integration
• SSIS, SSRS, SSAS and SQL development
• Building and maintaining MS SQL SSIS packages
• Implementing and managing MS SQL Server databases
• Logical and physical data modeling (transactional and dimensional)
• Developing and maintaining the vendor extract/import process
• Identifying logical issues between database models and reports
• Following change management procedures
• Create ways to store, organise, and present data
• Performing complex technical, analytical and professional services involving programme/member services, evaluation, database-driven web sites and office operations
• Administering a variety of database systems including Microsoft SQL Server, Filemaker Pro, and others
• Integrating old systems data into the new system
• Testing and coordinating modifications
• Auditing, modifying, and amending data in systems using SQL commands, hand-editing, and bulk import
• Troubleshooting and correcting issues as they arise
• Ensuring that the system is running smoothly
• Adding new users to the system as needed
• Planning and coordinating security measures alongside network administrators
• Enhancing or building database designs
• Implementing and administering MS SQL Server 2008-2014 databases in support of in-house developed and vendor applications
• Developing and implementing measures and executing maintenance plans to maximise availability, performance, and reliability of databases
• Developing, implementing and executing a backup / disaster recovery plan for all databases via various technologies (log shipping, database mirroring, SAN replication, etc)
• Performing strategic database planning as appropriate
• Reviewing, planning, testing, and implementing database upgrades while adhering to all change management policies and procedures
• Working in conjunction with programme owners in the reviewing, planning, testing, and implementation of programme upgrades dependent on database technology
• Advising, educating and making recommendations to system analysts and other staff on administration policies and procedures and technical methods
• Troubleshooting and resolving database connectivity and performance problems
• Collecting and presenting relevant application and database performance statistics including server performance and trend analysis
• Coordinating configuration, installation, and setup of application and database servers as required
• Troubleshoots and resolves problems with production systems; escalates issues, facilitates resolution

Qualifications

• Matric
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or Equivalent
• ITIL Foundation
• SQL Server 2008/2012/2014
• PostgreSQL certification required of equivalent years’ experience

Experience and Knowledge:

• 3+ years’ experience with dimensional database design
• 3+ years’ PostgreSQL experience implementing data warehouse solutions using PostgreSQL, Transact /SQL and DTS packages
• At least 2 years of experience gathering business requirements and developing a GUI dashboard from the requirements
• 2 -3 years’ IT operation with strong understanding of database structures, theories, principles, and practices
• 3-5 years’ Microsoft SQL Server experience beneficial
• Experience in implementing operational automation
• Experience in creating reports and dashboards
• Experience with MS SQL Server 2008/2012/2014 and SSIS
• Experience with data management and data processing flowcharting techniques
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• SQL Development – ability to write and troubleshoot SQL Code and design (stored procs, functions, tables, views, triggers, indexes, constraints)
• Knowledge of High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) options for MSSQL Server.
• Logical and physical data modelling expertise
• Solid acquaintance with windows server, security delegation, SPNs, storage components
• Documentation skills for processes and procedures (creating KBs, runbooks, topology etc.)
• Knowledge of 3rd party DBA tools and applications (e.g. redgate, idera, SCOM, Erwin)
• Knowledge in a scripting language like Powershell, VBScript, WSH
• Knowledge of SQL Server tools (Profiler, DTA, SSMS, SAC, SSCM, PerfMon, DMVs, system sprocs)
• Understanding of, and experience with, server-client computing and relational database environments
• Knowledge of reporting and query tools and practices
• Database Administration
• Database Tuning
• Database Management
• Database Security
• DB Reporting and monitoring

Strategic Orientation:

• Able to think strategically, executing quality proposals under multiple and competing deadlines and work extra hours as needed (evenings and weekends)
• A driven and ambitious experienced self-starter with excellent negotiation skills and business acumen
• Good understanding of the organisation’s goals and objectives

Communication:

• Good interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Technical documentation skills
• Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language

Computer Literacy:

• Latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and Power-point
• Strong Knowledge in PostgreSQL
• SQL server upgrade (2005 >2008, 2008 >2012, 2012 >2014)
• SSRS, SSIS, SSAS, IIS experience
• Knowledge in SQL Server Clustered environment
• Knowledge of SQL scripting, preferred
• VMWare experience, a plus

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Highly organised with keen attention to detail
• High level of creativity, inspiration, innovation and ability to think "outside the box"
• Self-motivated and directed
• Able to prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Teamwork – must be able to work as a member of a team
• Client focused
• Confident
• Good networking skills
• Self-aware
• Responsible and accountable
• Has a pleasant manner – even under pressure

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates